This course supports students in attaining rigorous qualitative research skills that will complement their research interests, assist in developing dissertation/thesis proposals, and contribute to preparing for a career as educators and scholars in academia and beyond. The course aims to develop a deep understanding of a range of qualitative research methods and their epistemological foundations. Readings and discussions will be oriented to probing the epistemology and ontology of knowledge in support of the formulation of robust research design. Readings reflect an understanding that doctoral planning and geography students commonly conduct ethnographic research in transnational and multicultural settings, which requires an ability to read and interpret complex meanings, as well as attend to the politics of knowledge production. Debates surrounding the production of ethnographic data will also be emphasized, including those concerning researcher positionality, reflexivity, ethics, and writing.